Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

(This side story deviates from the main plot and represents a certain point in the book. Happy birthday, Your Majesty!)

"Didn't we agree to meet at Wanmintang in a bit? Why did you come to find me earlier?" As soon as I stepped out of the shop, a sweet feeling rose in my eyes, and I asked, half-jokingly and half-expectantly.

Are you... eager to see me?

The secret, joyful little thought in my heart couldn't help but begin to spread unchecked.

“There is indeed something.” His expression was normal, and his tone was calm, as if he were stating a routine official matter: “Recently, there have been frequent torrential rains in Liyue Harbor, and a leak has been found in the eaves of the west wing of the Hall of Rebirth.” As he spoke, he reached out his hand very naturally, his slender fingers slipping through the gap between my slightly loosened fingers and firmly interlocking with mine.

The cool-to-the-touch leather gloves gently brushed against my skin, bringing a subtle, tingling sensation that went straight to my heart.

"The head of the hall has decided that all the hall's buildings must be repaired before the Lantern Festival. The temporary accommodations for the other ritual attendants have all been arranged. Since you have already taken leave today, the head of the hall specifically asked me to come and inform you."

He spoke at length, clearly and logically. But my ears seemed to automatically filter out the words "water seepage," "repair," and "relocation," my mind completely elsewhere.

My gaze involuntarily fell on his hand, which was tightly clasped with mine.

I don't know when it started... he just started "getting started" without even saying hello.

"Oh...it's leaking." Under his gaze, I finally managed to regain a sliver of consciousness and mumbled a reply.

Ever since I returned to Liyue, Master Hu Tao has specially reserved that small dormitory in the backyard of the Hall of Rebirth for me. The room is furnished exactly as I left it, clean and tidy, as if time has never passed. Even though I resolutely took all my personal belongings with me when I left.

At that time, I embarked on my journey alone, my heart filled with complex emotions, never expecting to return.

I wonder what Hu Tao was feeling as she kept this empty room for me all this time. How could someone as intelligent as her not understand the resolute determination hidden behind the act of "taking everything"?

Perhaps... she always firmly believed that I would come back someday.

However, things are still somewhat different compared to when I left. The room next to mine, which used to be empty, is now occupied by Zhongli.

We seem to have returned to that everyday life where we "see each other all the time," so close that we no longer need to cross mountains and rivers, endure long periods of longing and waiting, just to have a quick meeting.

"Hmm," he nodded slightly, gently stroking the back of my hand with his fingertips, and suggested, "During the renovation, how about we temporarily stay at the White Horse Inn together?"

"Hmm... let's do it this way." I nodded and agreed.

White Horse Travels Back to Inn...

That place truly holds many unforgettable, bittersweet memories for me.

*

At the Rebirth Hall, on the birthday of each officiant, Walnut will set up a simple yet heartfelt birthday banquet in the hall, gathering everyone to celebrate and share the joy.

She's such a lively child.

Zhongli's birthday banquet had just ended, and the warm laughter from the banquet still seemed to echo in my ears.

I had no choice but to go ahead and head to the hotel to tidy up the room in advance.

As the year draws to a close, everyone in the hall has agreed to stay up together tonight to celebrate the New Year.

After a brief farewell to my colleagues, I joined the cheerful crowds of Liyue Harbor on the last day of the year, all by myself.

The streets were decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, filled with laughter and chatter, creating an atmosphere so rich and vibrant that it was almost second only to the Lantern Festival in terms of excitement.

Since it's the last night of the old year, we should hurry up and tidy up our temporary accommodations so that we don't bring a messy scene into the first day of the new year.

For some reason, I don't seem to have fully gotten used to being so close to Zhongli, day and night, inseparable.

Every time I'm with him and feel his meticulous presence, I can't help but want to create a space for myself to be alone, so that I can catch my breath and sort out my somewhat chaotic thoughts.

Perhaps, this pace of life, which maintains a little distance, makes me feel more at ease and at ease.

*

Pushing open the door to the familiar room at the White Horse Inn, I walked straight to the window and pushed it open.

The salty sea breeze immediately hit my face, carrying with it the familiar, slightly fishy-sweet scent of the ocean from my memory.

The view here is superb, offering a panoramic view of the ships moored in the distant harbor and the endless sea, as well as the grand fireworks display that Liyue Harbor is preparing to celebrate the New Year tonight.

The sky outside the window had unknowingly darkened completely, the deep blue night sky like a thick velvet curtain, dotted with a few scattered, cold stars.

Having just left the warm and lively birthday banquet at the ancestral hall, the turmoil in my heart had not yet completely subsided when a familiar, chilly sense of loneliness quietly crept in.

The human heart is truly difficult to please.

Looking around the guest room where I would be staying, the furnishings were not much different from what I remembered.

Unconsciously, my fingers brushed against the soft, white quilt on the bed. Some memories that had been buried by time surged up with unusual clarity at this moment, vivid and clear, as if they had happened just yesterday.

Last time, I stood alone in this empty guest room, facing a farewell letter left by Zhongli.

The image of myself then, broken, helpless, and lost, is now superimposed on the shadow standing by the window before me.

Deep inside, the old wound that I thought had healed or been buried was mercilessly reopened by this familiar environment and atmosphere, and the sharp pain was instantly awakened, vivid and profound.

Should I... not have come back in the first place?

This cowardly thought flashed through my mind.

But if you don't face it, this wound will always resurface at some unexpected moment, gnawing at your heart and causing a persistent, dull pain in your chest.

As for how to truly resolve this inner conflict, I haven't figured out a solution yet.

I just have a vague feeling that the first step might be to go back here, back to where it all started, and where the pain first sprouted.

boom!

Outside the window, the first dazzling firework pierced the night sky right on time, exploding with a deafening roar high above and bursting into a dazzling display of light. After that moment of brilliance, countless golden specks of light, like shooting stars with long, thin tails, slowly fell and dissipated, reflected against the dark backdrop of the night sky, resembling silent, shimmering tears of light flowing through the heavens.

dong dong dong...

Just as the light and shadow intertwined and my heart was filled with turmoil, a soft and rhythmic knocking sound came from behind me.

"Is... is there still luggage that hasn't been delivered?" I suppressed the gloom that unconsciously showed on my face, dragged my slightly heavy steps, turned around and walked to the door, and reached out to open the door.

"Hmm?" The person outside the door only glanced at me once, but those golden amber eyes that seemed to see through everything instantly and keenly caught the dejection I hadn't had time to completely hide.

The emotions that had been churning within her for so long, a mixture of old wounds, loneliness, helplessness, and the complex feelings she felt for him at this moment, suddenly broke through the gates of reason.

"It's all your fault!" My voice was choked with sobs and grievances that I didn't even realize. I raised my hand and punched his chest with all my might, not too hard, but not too hard. "When I want you to be here, you're not here... but when I don't want to see you, you're always hanging around in front of me!"